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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 18, 2017 5:24:11 GMT -5
With my post 1960 35mm slr collection as good as complete, i am now getting interested in the pre 1960 35mm slr's. Those are the cameras that stood at the cradle of modern cameras and it's intersting to see how in those days diffrent problems were tackled to overcome the flaws of the 35mm slr when it was first introduced. Afterall quick return mirrors, auto diafragms, fast film transport, pentaprisms, (retro focus) wide-angle lenses and a lot of other things we now take for granted, at some point needed to be developed or invented and this is where these pre 1960 slr's confront you with how much cameras have evolved. Here's three 35mm slr's of my "new" collection, expansion of this collection will probably go slow as mostly these types are hard to find and rather EXPENSIVE!  |
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Post by olddocfox on Aug 19, 2017 9:43:15 GMT -5
I look forward to seeing what you find! You're very right about the era being filled with SLR camera inventions (most of value). Consider the Contax S Spieglereflex (mirror reflex) released by Contax Dresden in 1948. This lovely SLR introduced the eye-level finder using a pentaprism - this perfect viewing solution cured the left-to-right image reversal of all prior reflex cameras. The Contax S also introduced a 42 mm diameter by 1 mm pitch screw-mount lens mount. This was adopted as the M42 and later as the Pentax thread mount.  The Contax S also presented a unique connector for flash synchronization. It was on the bottom-side of the camera, hidden in the middle of the 3/8-16 tripod socket! Maybe not the best piece of inventive German design.  |
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Post by julio1fer on Aug 19, 2017 18:37:14 GMT -5
Good thread. I'd rather collect early SLRs than late RFs. Are Exaktas included?
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 20, 2017 1:41:34 GMT -5
Good thread. I'd rather collect early SLRs than late RFs. Are Exaktas included?  Now they are. Mickey |
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Post by John Farrell on Aug 20, 2017 2:56:09 GMT -5
The earliest I have, is a Praktica from 1952 - like an FX not marked as one.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 20, 2017 3:17:53 GMT -5
Good thread. I'd rather collect early SLRs than late RFs. Are Exaktas included? Now they are. Mickey P.S. My last Exakta acquisition. I much prefer the wonderful old VX ll a.  |
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Post by Rachel on Aug 20, 2017 4:46:23 GMT -5
These are my earliest 35mm SLRs .....    Click the thumbnails to see the full size pictures. |
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Post by Rachel on Aug 20, 2017 4:59:08 GMT -5
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hansz
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Hans
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Post by hansz on Aug 20, 2017 11:35:45 GMT -5
Exakta Varex IIb and RTL1000 with some lenses, (all Zeiss, strange isn't it:-)  IMG_2039a by Hans de Groot, on Flickr |
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Post by belgiumreporter on Aug 22, 2017 4:01:46 GMT -5
To me 1959 was the year in wich the 35mm slr became mature in the form of the Nikon F. There was little before it that was as well developed. The Japanese from then on took over the leading role in camera development. Maybe if Germany wasn't devided in East and West things might have gone differently. One could only imagine what Exakta would have put out if they would have been able to further develop their system not restricted by the VEB (public owned factory) policy of East Germany. However Leica, even though they were West Germany based, failed to keep up and the leicaflexes were to little to late to compete with the Japanese (and to expensive). But now back on topic, i am interested in slr's wich came before that 1959 pinnacle year. A lot of "Eastern Europe zone" cameras come to mind, Pentacon, Practica,Exacta,Zenith...but Alpa,Periflex,Asahiflex, and who nows some or many others wrote the history of the early 35mm slr. it would be interesting if those cameras would be featured in this topic, if you've got them, show them!(if possible with their beautifull all polished metal lenses) The Nikon F with plain prism as it was introduced in 1959  |
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Post by philbirch on Aug 22, 2017 5:26:38 GMT -5
The West Germans were way behind the East when it came to SLR cameras, they insisted on having leaf shutters. Only the Edixa had it right.
The Russians added a mirror box to their Zorkis and created the Zenits. What a pity Leitz or Zeiss didn't do the same. The East Germans were innovative and created a great and extensive system in the Exakta.
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Post by hannes on Aug 22, 2017 13:20:37 GMT -5
My oldest Russian SLR is this Zenit-S from 1956, which is based on th Zorki-S, a bottom loader.  One of the uggliest SLR ever ist the Crystall, built only 1961 and 1962 which makes it too young for this list.  KMZ Kristall 1962 Among all models of this series I prefere the Zenit 3 which was released after the Crystall and is still a bottom loader, but with improved mechanics. Later came the Zenit 3M with removable hinged back, which introduces light leak problems :-) Some late versions of Zenit 3M have been sold as Zenit 3 again, so there is some little confusion. Hannes |
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Post by hannes on Aug 22, 2017 13:35:41 GMT -5
In 1958, one year before Nikon introduced the F, KMZ made the Start. A professional SLR with similar features the Nikon F had and a view Nikon did not have. Like the film cutter and the possibitily to use Kiev/Contax casettes instead of take up spool. My Start models are from 1963, production of the Start ended in 1964. It is a pitty that KMZ did not produce more lenses with native mount. At least there was the adapter to use M39 lenses from the Zenit SLRs.  KMZ Start with Helios 44 Look at Nikon F and Start side by side to see what they have in common. Start also had exchangeable finder and focusing screens.  KMZ Start versus Nikon F  And finally the Start with WLF and 85mm f2 Jupiter 9 m39 lens  Hannes |
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Post by julio1fer on Aug 22, 2017 20:24:27 GMT -5
Great old cameras!
Just a small correction, the Zenit 3M had a swing back, not removable. Same as the Zorki-6 RF, which was the starting point. I should know as I used a 3M as my main camera for more than 10 happy years.
In hindsight, Leitz should have done the same as Nikon, i.e. add a box mirror to a proven design such as the III Barnack type. They were too much in love with the RF concept.
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Post by hannes on Aug 23, 2017 12:17:29 GMT -5
Just a small correction, the Zenit 3M had a swing back, not removable. Same as the Zorki-6 RF, which was the starting point. I should know as I used a 3M as my main camera for more than 10 happy years. Yes, you are right, I should know too, because I have used them not too long ago. Hannes |
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